Having returned to work in England after a spell in the Chinese Super League, Pellegrini will be back on familiar territory for the first time since taking charge at West Ham, who visit his old employers on Wednesday.

"What reaction will Pellegrini get? The reaction he deserves. I'm pretty sure it will be high. He did an incredible job," Guardiola told the media ahead of the fixture.

"The league he won was outstanding, the number of goals, the way they played. He had a good team and they did well.

"Here in England, I think there is a lot of respect for the people who were playing or managing, especially with Manuel because he is an excellent person. He's always polite and always respects clubs."

While Nasri made just one substitute appearance under Guardiola before departing the club, initially on a season-long loan to Sevilla in August 2016 before joining Antalyaspor in Turkey the following year, the Spaniard is glad to see such a talented player back in action.

"Unfortunately, because I wanted in the first year to work together, he decided to go to Sevilla. What I realised in a short time, of course, I knew him before when we played against Arsenal or I saw him in Manchester City, was the quality he has.

"But I'm so happy he's back and he can show again his last years the level that he has. I think [with] this kind of player it's always good news when he's on the pitch.

"When you come back to a place you have been, always you have a good memory. I didn't speak to him about that but I think he has good memories.

"He was important here, he won the Premier League here, he won other titles, playing a good level. I'm pretty sure he wants to make a good game."